KR101320466B1 - Sensor in battery - Google Patents

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for providing sensors to batteries. In certain aspects of the invention, a battery includes a housing dimensioned to fit within a battery compartment of a communication device, a battery cell configured to supply power to the communication device, a condition external to the communication device, and the power source from the battery cell. One or more sensors in the housing, configured to receive, and an interface configured to interface the processing system in the communication device with the one or more sensors.

Description

Sensor in battery {SENSOR IN BATTERY}

This patent application claims priority to US Provisional Application No. 61 / 223,308, filed July 6, 2009, assigned to the assignee of this patent application, and expressly incorporated herein by reference, "SENSOR IN BATTERY." To claim.

The description below relates generally to sensors and, more particularly, to sensors in batteries.

In the United States and other countries, there are currently widely deployed and continuous operating systems capable of detecting, diagnosing, and responding to terrorist attacks through chemical, biological and / or nuclear weapons, or the sudden release of dangerous toxins across a wide area. does not exist.

Accordingly, there is a need to provide chemical, biological and / or radiation sensors for use by communication devices.

In aspects of the invention, a battery is provided. The battery includes one or more housings dimensioned to fit within the battery compartment of the communication device, battery cells configured to supply power to the communication device, conditions external to the communication device, and configured to receive power from the battery cells; Sensors, and an interface configured to interface the processing system within the communication device with one or more sensors.

In another aspect of the invention, a method for measuring external conditions of a communication device using a battery is provided. The method includes providing power to a communication device using a battery cell in a battery, measuring an external condition of the communication device using one or more sensors in the battery to obtain a measurement of an external condition of the communication device, and a battery. Communicating the measurement from the processing system within the communication device.

In another aspect of the invention, an apparatus for measuring an external condition of a communication device is provided, wherein the device is configured to fit within a battery compartment of the communication device. The apparatus includes means for providing power to a communication device, means for measuring an external condition of the communication device to obtain a measurement of an external condition of the communication device, and means for communicating the measurement to a processing system within the communication device. Include.

In another aspect of the invention, a communication device is provided. The communication device includes a housing including a battery compartment dimensioned to receive a battery therein, a processing system, and an interface configured to interface the processing system with one or more sensors in the battery, wherein the contaminant communicates. And to process data from one or more sensors in the battery to determine if it is external to the device.

In another aspect of the invention, a method for detecting contaminants in a communication device is provided. The method includes receiving power from a battery, receiving data from one or more sensors in the battery, and processing the received data to determine if the contaminant is external to the communication device.

In another aspect of the invention, an apparatus for detecting contaminants in a communication device is provided. The apparatus includes means for receiving power from a battery, means for receiving data from one or more sensors in the battery, and means for processing the received data to determine if a contaminant is external to the communication device.

Although certain aspects have been described herein, many variations and substitutions of these aspects are within the scope of the present invention. Although some benefits and advantages of the preferred aspects are mentioned, the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to particular benefits, uses, or objectives. Rather, aspects of the present invention are intended to be widely applicable to different wireless technologies, system configurations, networks, and transport protocols, some of which are described in the drawings and in the following "Specifications for Carrying Out the Invention". Illustrated by way of example. The "details for carrying out the invention" and the drawings are merely illustrative of the invention rather than limiting, the scope of the invention being defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

These and other exemplary aspects of the present invention will be described in the following "specifications for carrying out the invention" and in the accompanying drawings.

1 is a conceptual block diagram illustrating an example communications system.
2 is a block diagram illustrating a communication device and a battery in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.
3 is a block diagram illustrating a battery including one or more sensors in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.
4A is a perspective view of a communication device and a battery in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.
4B is a front view of the battery of FIG. 4A.
5 is a cross-sectional view of a battery according to an aspect of the present invention.
6 is a block diagram illustrating a communication device and a battery according to another aspect of the present invention.
7 is a block diagram illustrating a communication device and a battery according to another aspect of the present invention.
8 is a flow chart of a process for measuring conditions external to a communication device using a battery.
9 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functionality of an apparatus for measuring conditions external to a communication device.
10 is a flow chart of a process for detecting contaminants at a communication device.
11 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functionality of an apparatus for detecting contaminants in a communication device.

In accordance with common practice, some of the drawings may be simplified for clarity. Thus, the drawings may not depict all of the components of a given apparatus (eg, device) or method. Finally, like reference numerals may be used to denote like features throughout the specification and drawings.

Various aspects of the invention are described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, various aspects of the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to any particular structure or function presented throughout the invention. Rather, these aspects are provided so that this invention will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Based on the teachings herein, those skilled in the art, whether implemented independently or in combination with any other aspect of the present invention, recognize that the scope of the present invention is intended to cover any aspect of the apparatus or method included herein. Should be. For example, an apparatus may be implemented or a method may be practiced using any number of aspects set forth herein. In addition, the scope of the present invention is intended to cover such an apparatus or method which is practiced using other structure, functionality or structure and functionality in addition to or other than the various aspects of the invention set forth herein. It should be understood that any aspect disclosed herein may be embodied by one or more elements of a claim.

The word "example" as used herein is used to mean "acting as an example or instance." Any aspect or design described herein as an "example" need not be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs.

Reference will now be made in detail to aspects of the subject technology, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

1 is a diagram of an example communications system 100 in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. In one aspect, communication system 100 may include a plurality of communication devices 106. Communication device 106 may also be referred to as a user terminal, access terminal, mobile station, subscriber station, terminal, node, user equipment (UE), wireless device, mobile equipment (ME), or some other terminology. The communication device 106 can be fixed or mobile. Examples of communication devices include cellular phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), laptops, desktop computers, digital audio players (eg, MP3 players), cameras, game consoles, data transceivers, or any other suitable communication device. Communication device 106 may include one or more antennas for communication over a wireless link.

Communication system 100 may also include a plurality of base stations 110 and a cellular network 115. Each base station 110 includes a transceiver and one or more antennas to provide wireless communication with one or more communication devices 106. In one aspect, each base station 110 communicates with communication devices 106 in a cell or sector served by the base station 110. Each cell may correspond to a geographic area covered by the corresponding base station 110. The geographic area covered by base station 110 may be referred to as the coverage area of base station 110.

(1) a CDMA system for transmitting data for different users using different orthogonal code sequences, (2) an FDMA system for transmitting data for different users on different frequency subbands, and (3) different time slots A TDMA system for transmitting data for different users in (4) a spatial division multiple access (SDMA) system for transmitting data for different users on different spatial channels, and (5) different users on different frequency subbands Different techniques, such as an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) system, which transmits data for these devices, may be used to provide communication between communication devices 106 and base stations 110. An OFDM system can implement IEEE 802.11 or some other air interface standard. The CDMA system may implement IS-200, IS-95, IS-856, Broadband-CDMA or some other air interface standard. TDMA systems may implement Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) or some other suitable air interface standard. As those skilled in the art will readily appreciate, various aspects of the present invention are not limited to any particular radio technology and / or air interface standard.

The cellular network 115 may provide communication between the communication devices 106 and other networks (eg, the Internet, a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) or other network) via one or more base stations 110. . For example, the cellular network 115 can route data received from another network and destined for the communication device 106 to the base station 110 serving the communication device 106. In another example, cellular network 115 may route data received from communication device 116 by base station 110 to another network. The cellular network 115 may also route data between communication devices 106 via one or more base stations 110. The cellular network 115 also coordinates handoff of the communication device 106 between two or more base stations 110 (eg, when a user of the communication devices moves from one cell to another cell), It may perform various functions such as managing the transmit power of communication devices 106 and base stations 110, converting data between different protocols, and / or other functions.

The system 100 may further include a communication network 120 and a data fusion center 125. In one aspect, communication network 120 provides communication between cellular network 115 and data fusion center 125. In another aspect, the data fusion center 125 may communicate directly with the cellular network 115. Communications network 120 may include any network, such as a LAN network, a WAN network, the Internet, an intranet, a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), another network, or a combination thereof. have. Data in communication network 120 may be routed to data fusion center 125 using an address for data fusion center 125 such as, but not limited to, an IP address, domain name, telephone number, or other address. .

System 100 also includes a broadcast network 130 and a plurality of transmitters 135. In one aspect, broadcast network 130 may broadcast data to multiple communication devices 106 over a wide geographic area via one or more transmitters 135. The data broadcast may include audio and video streams, messages, or other data. In one aspect, the transmitters 135 may be geographically distributed such that each transmitter 135 covers communication devices 106 within a particular geographic area. This allows the broadcast network 130 to target the broadcast data to the communication devices 110 within a particular geographic area by broadcasting the data from the corresponding transmitter 110. Broadcast network 130 may be implemented using any one of a number of technologies that support data broadcasting, including MediaFLO, 1seg, Digital Video Broadcasting-Handheld (DVD-H), or other technology. In one aspect, broadcast network 130 communicates with data convergence center 125 via communication network 120 or directly.

The cellular network 115 may also be used to broadcast data to multiple communication devices 106. For example, cellular network 115 may broadcast data from base station 110 using a common channel shared by multiple communication devices 106.

System 100 may further include a radio access node 140, an Internet Service Provider (ISP) 150, and the Internet 155. In one aspect, the wireless access node 140 communicates with the communication devices 106 to provide wireless internet access to the communication devices 106. The wireless access node 140 communicates using any one of a number of wireless technologies, including Wi-Fi, IEEE 802.11, broadband wireless technology, Bluetooth, Zigbee, Near Field Communication (NFC), or other technology. Communicate with device 106. In one aspect, wireless access node 140 transmits data to and receives data from Internet 155 via Internet Service Provider (ISP) 150. The radio access node 140 may be connected to the ISP 150 via a DSL line, cable, fiber, or other link. Although shown separately in FIG. 1, the Internet 155 may be included as part of the communication network 120. The data fusion center 125 may communicate with the Internet 155 via the communication network 120 or directly.

2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration for a communication device 106 and a battery 310 in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. Communication device 106 includes a processing system 200 for performing the functions described herein.

In this example, processing system 200 may comprise a bus architecture, represented generally by bus 202. The bus 202 may include any number of interconnecting buses and bridges depending on the specific application of the processing system 200 and the overall design constraints. The bus 202 links together various circuits including a processor 204, machine-readable media 206, and a bus interface 208. The bus interface 208 may be used to connect the network adapter 210 to the processing system 200, among other things, via the bus 202. For example, the network adapter 210 may use a communication device (transmitter and receiver) to implement a transmitter and receiver that implements any one or a combination of these wireless technologies, including CDMA, TDMA, OFDM, and / or other wireless technologies. 106) and may support wireless communication between the base station.

User interface 212 (eg, keypad, display, mouse, joystick, etc.) may also be connected to bus 202. The bus 202 can also link various other circuits such as timing sources, peripherals, voltage regulators, power management circuits, and the like, which are well known to those skilled in the art and, therefore, will be further described. Will not be.

The processor 204 is responsible for managing the bus and general processing, including the execution of software stored on the machine-readable media 206. Processor 204 may be implemented using one or more general purpose and / or special purpose processors. Examples include microprocessors, microcontrollers, DSP processors, and other circuitry capable of executing software. Software should be construed broadly to mean instructions, data, or any combination thereof, whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise. Machine-readable media may include, for example, random access memory (RAM), flash memory, read only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable (EPPROM) Programmable Read-Only Memory), registers, magnetic disks, optical disks, hard drives, or any other suitable storage medium, or any combination thereof. Machine-readable media may be embodied in a computer-program product. The computer-program product may include packaging elements.

In the hardware implementation illustrated in FIG. 2, machine-readable media 206 is shown as part of the processing system 200 separately from the processor 204. However, as those skilled in the art will readily appreciate, machine-readable media 206, or any portion thereof, may exist outside of processing system 200. By way of example, the machine-readable media 206 may include a transmission line, a carrier modulated by data, and / or a computer product separated from the communication device 106, all of which are bus interface 208. It can be accessed by the processor 204 via. Alternatively or in addition, the machine readable media 206, or any portion thereof, may be integrated into the processor 204, and in such cases, may be present in cache and / or general register files. .

The processing system 200 may be configured as a general purpose processing system having one or more microprocessors that provide processor functionality and an external memory that provides at least a portion of the machine-readable media 206, all of which are external buses. The architecture links with other support circuitry. Alternatively, the processing system 200 may include an ASIC having at least a portion of a processor 204, a bus interface 208, support circuits (not shown), and machine-readable media 206 integrated into a single chip. Application Specific Integrated Circuit, or one or more Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PDLs), controllers, state machines, gate logic, discrete hardware components, or any other suitable circuit, or present It can be implemented in any combination of circuits capable of performing the various functions described throughout the specification. Those skilled in the art will recognize how best to implement the described functionality for the processing system 200 depending on the specific application and the overall design constraints imposed on the overall system.

Machine-readable media 206 may include a number of software modules stored therein. The software modules, when executed by the processor 204, include instructions that cause the processing system 200 to perform various functions. Each software module may be in a single storage device or distributed across multiple storage devices. By way of example, a software module may be loaded from a hard drive into RAM when a triggering event occurs. During execution of the software module, the processor 204 may load some of the instructions into the cache to increase access speed. Thereafter, one or more cache lines may be loaded into a general register for execution by the processor 204. When referring to the functionality of a software module below, it will be understood that when executing instructions from that software module, such functionality is implemented by the processor 204.

Processing system 200 further includes power system 220. In one aspect, the power system 220 receives power from the battery 310 and includes a processor 204, machine-readable media 206, bus interface 208, network adapter 210, and a user. Power may be distributed to various components of the processing system 200 including the interface 212. The power system 220 may also include a regulator for regulating power to various components and a power management circuit for managing power to the various components.

The battery 310 includes one or more battery cells 330, a regulator 335, one or more sensors 320, and a sensor interface 325. The components of the battery 310 may be housed in a battery housing 410 (shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B) configured to be inserted into and removed from a battery compartment 430 of the communication device 106. Can be. The battery compartment 430 may be located at the back of the communication device 106 or at another location of the communication device 106.

The battery cells 330 are configured to store energy (eg, electrochemical energy) for providing power to the communication device 106. Battery cell 330 may include an array of interconnected cells (eg, Li-Ion cells, nickel-cadmium (NiCd) cells, nickel metal hydride (NiMH) cells, and the like). . Regulator 335 may be configured to regulate power from battery cells 330 to power sensor interface 325 and sensors 320. For example, the regulator 335 may include a voltage regulator that provides a relatively stable DC voltage under various load conditions.

One or more sensors 320 may include chemical, biological, radiation, humidity and / or temperature sensors. Sensors 320 may be implemented using various sensor technologies. For example, chemical sensors may include materials that absorb certain chemicals that produce property changes in the material. By way of example, the material may be incorporated into a sensor where the absorption of the desired chemical by the material produces a detectable change in the sensor's electrical properties (eg, capacitance, resistance, resonant frequency, etc.). Sensors 320 may include a plurality of different chemicals, biological materials and / or different materials that are sensitive to different chemicals, biological materials and / or forms of radiation to detect forms of radiation. For example, polymers, ceramics, metals or combinations thereof). Chemicals, biological materials and radiation can also be detected using a combination of two or more sensors.

The chemical sensor can be configured to detect harmful chemicals such as nerve agents (eg, Sarin gas), tear gas, toxins, industrial chemicals and other dangerous chemicals. have. The biological sensor may be configured to detect harmful biological materials such as anthrax, diseases and other dangerous biological materials. The radiation sensor may be configured to detect harmful radiation such as x-rays, gamma rays, alpha rays, beta rays and other harmful rays (eg, emitted by the radioactive material). In this specification, harmful chemicals, biological materials and radiation may be referred to as contaminates.

Sensors 320 may include discrete sensors and / or multiple sensors integrated on a substrate. The battery 310 may have one or more vent holes 460 (shown in FIG. 4A) located near the sensors 320. Vents 460 allow chemicals, biological materials, and / or other airborne contaminants from the external environment to enter battery housing 410 and interact with one or more internal sensors 320. Can be used. In another aspect, one or more of the sensors 320 may be disposed on an outer surface of the battery 310.

The sensor interface 325 interfaces the sensors 320 and the processor 204. For example, sensor interface 325 may convert analog sensor signals from sensors 320 into digital sensor data for analysis by processor 204. Sensor interface 325 may also perform other signal processing on the sensor signals, including filtering, and / or amplification. Sensor interface 325 may also receive instructions from processor 204 to take readings from one or more of sensors 320. When sensor interface 325 receives a command from processor 204 to take a read from one of sensors 320, sensor interface 325 activates sensor 320 and analyzes by processor 204. The resulting sensor signal can be processed into sensor data and sent to the processor 204.

The processor 204 may also identify the sensor type in instructions for taking a sensor reading. For example, the identified sensor type may be directed to a particular one of the sensors 320 configured to detect a particular type of chemical, biological material, and / or radiation. In this example, upon receiving the command, sensor interface 325 can activate the identified sensor 320, process the resulting sensor signal into sensor data, and send the sensor data to processor 204. Sensor interface 325 may also include an identifier that identifies the sensor type. The processor 204 may use the identifier to execute software to analyze sensor data for the identified sensor type, as discussed further below.

Sensor interface 325 may be implemented in an ASIC, one or more FPGAs, PLDs, controllers, state machines, gate logic, discrete hardware components, or any other suitable circuit, or any combination of circuits. The sensor interface 325 may also store software executed by the processor of the sensor interface 325 to store instructions from the processor 204, to temporarily store sensor data, and / or to implement the functions described herein. Machine-readable media 327 for storage. Machine-readable media may include RAM, flash memory, ROM, PROM, EEPROM, registers, or any other suitable storage medium.

The processor 204 and sensor interface 325 may communicate over the bus 202 and / or other structures or devices. For example, as discussed further below, processor 204 and sensor interface 325 may be a pair of radios implemented with any one of a number of radio technologies, including Bluetooth, Zigbee, or other radio technologies. Transceivers may be used to communicate over a short range wireless link.

In certain aspects, the processor 204 may include a sensor interface 325 to measure environmental conditions external to the communication device 106 (eg, to determine whether chemicals, biological materials, radiation, or other contaminants are present). Can be configured to analyze sensor data from. For example, the processor 204 may determine whether a contaminant is present by comparing the sensor threshold with the level of sensor data received from the sensor interface 325. In this example, the processor 204 may determine that certain contaminants are present if the level of sensor data exceeds the sensor threshold. The processor 204 can determine whether a particular contaminant is present based on sensor data from the plurality of different sensors 2320. In one aspect, processor 204 may execute software to detect a particular contaminant from the sensor data by recognizing a pattern in the sensor data corresponding to the contaminant. The software employs any number of analysis tools, including but not limited to neutral networks, principle component analysis, classifiers, and other analysis tools to detect specific contaminants from sensor data. can do.

After the processor 204 detects contaminants based on the received sensor data, the processor 204 may report the detected contaminants to the data fusion center 125 using the network adapter 210. The report may also include the type of contaminant detected and the geographic location of the detection, which may be provided by a positioning device (eg, a GPS device) within the communication device 106. Data fusion center 125 may also receive reports of detected contaminants from other communication devices 106. Such communication devices 106 can be distributed over a wide area, thereby creating a vast network of sensors that can detect chemicals, biological materials, radiation, and / or other contaminants over a wide area. This allows the data fusion center 125 to detect contaminants over a wide area using a sensor network.

3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a battery 310 in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention. One aspect of battery cells 330 includes three terminals 338a-338c that interface with terminals 358a-358c of power system 220, respectively. Terminals 338a-338c of the battery cells 330 may include a voltage terminal 338a, a ground terminal 338b, and a temperature sensor 338c. Similarly, terminals 358a-358c of power system 220 may include voltage terminal 358a, ground terminal 358b, and temperature sensor 358c.

Voltage terminal 338a may be used to provide a voltage from battery cells 330 to voltage terminal 358a of power system 220 to power communication device 106. Battery 310 and power system 220 may include additional voltage terminals. Ground terminal 338b may be used to electrically connect the ground of battery cells 330 to ground terminal 358b of power system 220. Temperature terminal 338c may be used to communicate temperature readings from a temperature sensor in or near battery cells 330 to temperature terminal 358c of power system 220. The power system 220 may use the received temperature reading to detect overheating of the battery cells 330 and to cut power from the battery cells 330 when overheating is detected.

The battery 310 also includes a data link terminal 340 for connecting the sensor interface 325 to the bus 202. Data link terminal 340 allows sensor interface 325 to communicate sensor data to processor 204 via bus 202. Data link terminal 340 can also cause sensor interface 325 to receive instructions from processor 204 via bus 202. For example, sensor interface 325 can receive instructions from processor 204 to take sensor readings, and send the resulting sensor data to processor 204.

Data link terminal 340 may include, but is not limited to, data including an Inter-Integrated Circuit (I2C), Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI), 1 wire, Universal Asynchronous Receiver / Transmitter (UART), or other suitable data interface standard. It can be implemented using an interface. The data link terminal 340 may transmit and receive data using a serial data interface in series or using a parallel data interface in parallel.

4A shows a perspective view of communication device 106 and battery 310 in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. The communication device 106 includes a device housing 425 that houses all or part of the processing system 200 of the communication device 106. The battery 310 includes a battery housing 410 housing the sensors 320, the sensor interface 325, the battery cells 330, and the regulator 335.

The device housing 425 includes a battery compartment 430 configured to receive a battery 310 therein. Battery 310 may be inserted into and removed from battery compartment 430. The battery compartment 430 may also include a slot (not shown) for receiving a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card. In FIG. 4A, battery 310 is shown outside battery compartment 430 to facilitate the illustration.

The communication device 106 can also include electrical contacts 438a-438d disposed within the battery compartment 430. Contacts 438a-438d may be connected to voltage terminal 358a, ground terminal 358b, and temperature terminal 358c of power system 220, respectively. Contact 438d may be coupled to bus 202.

The battery 310 may include corresponding electrical contacts 448a-448d disposed on the front surface of the battery housing 410 (shown in FIG. 4B). The contacts 448a-448d may be connected to the voltage terminal 338a, the ground terminal 338b, and the temperature terminal 338c of the battery cells 330, respectively. Contact 448d may be coupled to data link terminal 340. While one contact 448d is shown in the example in FIG. 4B, the battery 310 is connected to the data link terminal 340, for example, depending on the data interface standard used for the data link terminal 340. It may include one or more contacts 448d. For example, the UART implementation of the data link terminal 340 may have two lines Rx / Tx using two contacts 448d. In this example, the communication device 106 can include two corresponding contacts 438d connected to the bus 202 while in the battery compartment 430.

Contacts 448a-448d include contacts 448a-448d of contacts 438a-438d in the battery compartment 430 when the battery 310 is inserted into the battery compartment 430. It may be located on the battery housing 420 to be in contact with the corresponding one contact. The contacts 438a-428d and 448a-448d are not limited to the arrangements shown in the example in FIGS. 4A and 4B, but are located in other arrangements within the battery compartment 430 and on the battery housing 410. Can be. For example, the contacts 448a-448d may be arranged along the bottom surface of the battery housing 410, and the contacts 438a-438d are arranged along the corresponding surface of the battery compartment 430. . In addition, the contacts 438a-428d and 448a-448d may have various shapes. For example, the contacts 438a-428d and 448a-448d may have flat contact surfaces as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. In yet another example, the contacts 438a-428d and 448a-448d may include pin connectors and corresponding slots.

In one aspect, contacts 438a and 448a may be used to electrically connect voltage terminal 338a of battery cell 330 with voltage terminal 358a of power system 220. Contacts 438b and 448b may be used to electrically connect the ground terminal 338b of the battery cells 330 with the ground terminal 358b of the power system 220. Contacts 438c and 448c may be used to communicate a temperature reading from temperature terminal 338c of battery cells 330 to temperature terminal 358c of power system 220. Contacts 438d and 448d may be used to communicate data between data link terminal 340 and bus 202 of battery 310. Contacts 438d and 448d include, but are not limited to, data used to communicate data between bus 202 and battery 310, including, but not limited to, I 2 C, SPI, 1 wire, UART, or other suitable data interface standard. It can include any number of contacts depending on the interface standard. The communication device 106 and the battery 310 can include additional contacts. For example, communication device 106 and battery 310 may include contacts for communicating battery type and / or identification (ID) from battery 310 to processor 204.

In one aspect, the battery housing 410 is configured to allow contaminants carried by air from the external environment to enter the battery housing 410 and interact with one or more of the sensors 320 in the battery housing 410. Vents 460. In this aspect, the vents 460 may be located on the rear surface of the battery housing 410 as shown in the example of FIG. 4A. In this example, the rear surface of the battery housing 410, and thus the vents 460, are exposed to the external environment when the battery 310 is disposed within the battery compartment 430. In another example, the communication device 106 can include a battery cover (not shown) disposed over the battery 310 in the battery compartment 430. In this example, the battery cover may include vents that are aligned with vents 460 of the battery housing 410 when the battery 310 is in the battery compartment 430.

5 is a cross-sectional view of the battery 310 illustrating one or more of the battery housing 410, the vents 460 of the battery housing 410, and the sensors 320 within the battery housing 410. In this example, the sensors 320 are positioned near the vents 460 such that the sensors 320 are exposed to contaminants carried by the air entering the battery housing 410 through the vents 460. . Airborne contaminants can include airborne chemical and / or biological materials, and sensors 320 include chemical and / or biological sensors for detecting airborne chemical and / or biological materials. can do. The sensors 320 may be mounted on the support structure 515 in the battery housing 410. Support structure 515 may include a substrate (semiconductor substrate), a printed circuit board, a base, or other suitable support structure.

In one aspect, the battery 310 can include an air pump 510 for moving air from the external environment through the interior of the battery housing 410. The air pump 510 may be implemented using a small electronic fan or other device. Movement of air exposes the sensors 320 to contaminants carried with greater amounts of air in the air, which improves chemical and / or biological detection by the sensors 320. An example of air flow through the interior of the battery housing 410 is indicated by arrows in FIG. 5. In this example, the air pump 510 creates a flow of air through the interior of the battery housing 410, where the air enters the battery housing 410 through one of the air vents 460. And exits the battery housing 410 through another one of the vents 460.

In one aspect, the air pump 510 may be powered by the battery cells 330 through the regulator 335, and the sensor interface 325 may control power to the air pump 510. . In this aspect, sensor interface 325 may power air pump 510 when sensor interface 325 takes sensor readings from one or more of sensors 320.

6 is a conceptual diagram in which a communication device 106 includes a sensor interface 325, in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. In one aspect, the sensor interface 325 of the communication device 106 may be connected to the sensors 320 of the battery 310 via contacts 438d and 448d (shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B). . In this aspect, sensor interface 325 may activate sensors 320 to take sensor readings and receive sensor signals from sensors 320 via an analog and / or digital interface. In an example of an analog interface, sensor interface 325 may include an analog-to-digital (A / D) converter for converting analog sensor signals from sensors 320 into digital sensor data. The sensor interface 325 can then transmit sensor data to the processor 204 via the bus 202.

7 is a conceptual diagram of a communication device 106 and a battery 310 in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention. In one aspect, the communication device 106 includes a radio frequency (RF) adapter 710 and an antenna 712, and the battery 310 includes an RF adapter 720 and an antenna 722. Each RF adapter 710 and 720 may include a transmitter and a receiver for providing wireless communication via respective antennas 712 and 722. The RF adapter 710 for the communication device 106 may use the same antenna 222 as the network adapter 212. In addition, the RF adapter 710 may be integrated into the network adapter 210.

In this aspect, sensor interface 325 and processor 204 may communicate with each other over a wireless link using respective RF adapters 710 and 720. Each RF adapter 710 and 720 may be implemented in any one of a number of wireless technologies including Wi-Fi, IEEE 802.11, broadband wireless technology, Bluetooth, Zigbee, Near Field Communication (NFC) or other technologies. . For example, sensor interface 325 can receive instructions from processor 204 via a wireless link and send sensor data to processor 204. In this aspect, the contacts 438d and 448d (shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B) may be removed from the battery compartment 430 and the battery 310, respectively. Sensor interface 325 can also use RF adapter 720 to communicate with other devices over a wireless link. For example, sensor interface 325 can use RF adapter 720 to send sensor data to another communication device 106.

In one aspect, the sensor interface 325 can operate in a low power mode when the communication device 106 is turned off or the battery 310 is removed from the battery compartment 430. For example, sensor interface 325 may detect when communication device 106 is turned off, or sensor interface 325 sends a message to processor 204 and processor 204 in response to the message. When no acknowledgment is received from the battery, the battery is removed from the battery compartment 430. In another example, when the communication device 106 is in the process of powering down, the processor 204 can send a message to the sensor interface 325 that the communication device 106 is powered off.

In the low power mode, sensor interface 325 may periodically wake up from the sleep state to take sensor readings from sensors 320. For example, sensor interface 325 stores time intervals between wakeups on machine-readable media 327 and keeps track of time to timing wakeups based on the time intervals between wakeups. Low power counts or other timing circuitry within battery 310 may be used to accomplish this. The time interval between wakeups can be selected to keep the power consumption rate low.

When sensor interface 325 wakes up and takes sensor readings from sensors 320, sensor interface 325 may store sensor data on machine-readable media 327. Sensor interface 325 may also include a time stamp indicating the appropriate time of sensor data and stored sensor data. The time stamp may be provided by a timing circuit used to timing wakeups, as described above.

When the communication device 106 is powered again or the battery 310 is inserted into the battery compartment 430, the sensor interface 325 sends the sensor from the machine-readable media 327 to the processor 204. Data and corresponding time stamps may be sent. For example, when the communication device 106 is in the process of powering up, the processor 204 can send a message to the sensor interface 325 that the communication device 106 is powered up. Upon receiving such a message, the sensor interface 325 may transmit the stored sensor data to the processor 204.

The processor 204 may also send instructions to the sensor interface 325 to enter or turn off the low power mode. For example, processor 204 may do this when battery 310 has low power. In addition, the processor 204 may send instructions to the sensor interface 325 specifying a time interval between wakeups.

In addition, the processor 204 may send instructions to the sensor interface 325 that disable one of the sensors 320. For example, the processor 204 may select sensors based on a message from the data fusion center 125 that reported detection based on sensor data from the sensor 320 and / or sensor data from the sensor 320 is false. One of 320 can determine that there is a defect. In this example, the processor 204 can send an identifier identifying the sensor 320 to the sensor interface 325. Upon receiving the identifier and instructions to disable the identified sensor 325, the sensor interface 325 may stop taking sensor readings from the identified sensor 320. The sensor interface 325 can store the identity of the sensor 320 on the machine-readable media 327.

In addition, the processor 204 may send instructions to the sensor interface 325 to take sensor readings from a particular one of the sensors 320 at a more frequent rate. For example, the processor 204 may send to the sensor interface 325 an identifier identifying the sensor and the time interval between sensor readings. Upon receiving the identifier and time interval, sensor interface 325 can take sensor readings from the identified sensor 320 based on the time interval. Sensor interface 325 may store the identity and time interval of sensor 320 on machine-readable media 327. In this example, processor 204 may receive a message of heightened threat alert from data fusion center 125 for certain types of chemical, biological materials, and / or radiation. Upon receiving this message, the processor 204 issues instructions to the sensor interface 325 to take at more frequent rates sensor readings from one of the sensors 320 corresponding to a particular type of chemical, biological material, and / or radiation. ) Can be sent.

Battery 310 in accordance with various aspects of the present invention allows communication device 106 to enjoy the benefits of sensors 320 while minimizing the impact of sensors 320 on the manufacturing cost of communication device 106. Allow it. For example, the example battery 310 in FIG. 3 communicates by adding one or more additional contacts to the battery compartment 430 of the communication device 106 and including the software in the machine-readable media 206. Allow the device to use the sensors 320, which have a minimal impact on the manufacturing cost of the communication device 106.

The battery 310 also allows the same communication device 106 to be designed and manufactured for multiple markets, including markets where sensors 320 are not used. For markets where sensors are not used, communication device 106 may use a battery without sensors 320. Thus, the communication device 106 is a market that does not use the sensors 320 without incurring additional costs of the sensors 320 by inserting a battery without the sensors 320 into the communication device 106. Can be used in the field.

In addition, the sensors 320 used by the communication device 106 may be replaced by replacing the battery 310 with a new battery 310 with new sensors 320. For example, the user may replace the battery 310 when the power capacity of the battery 310 is lowered. Battery replacement provides the user with an opportunity to replace the sensors 320 as well.

8 is a flowchart illustrating a method 800 for measuring a condition external to the communication device 106 using the battery 310. In step 810, power is provided to the communication device 106 using the battery cells 330 in the battery 310. In step 820, the condition outside the communication device 106 is measured using one or more sensors 320 in the battery 310 to obtain a measurement of the condition outside the communication device 106. In step 830, the measurement is communicated from the battery 310 to the processing system 200 in the communication device 106.

9 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functionality of an apparatus 900 for measuring a condition external to the communication device 106. In one aspect, the apparatus 900 is configured to fit within the battery compartment of the communication device 106. The apparatus 900 includes a power module 910 for providing power to the communication device 106, a measurement module 920 for measuring an external condition of the communication device 106 to obtain a measurement of an external condition of the communication device 106. And a communication module 920 for communicating the measurement to the processing system 200 in the communication device 106.

10 is a flow chart illustrating a method 1000 for detecting contaminants at the communication device 106. At step 1010, power is received from the battery 310. At step 1020, data is received from one or more sensors 320 in the battery 310. At step 1030, the received data is processed to determine if contaminants are external to the communication device 106.

11 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functionality of an apparatus 1100 for detecting contaminants at a communication device 106. The apparatus 1100 includes a power module 1110 for receiving power from a battery, a data module 1120 for receiving data from one or more sensors 320 in the battery 310, and contaminant communication device 106. And a detection module 1130 for processing the received data to determine if it is external.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various exemplary blocks, units, elements, components, methods, and algorithms described herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinations thereof. To illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative blocks, units, elements, components, methods, and algorithms have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Those skilled in the art can implement the described functionality in several ways for each particular application.

It is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps in the processes disclosed is an illustration of exemplary approaches. Based upon design preferences, it is understood that the specific order or hierarchy within the processes may be rearranged. Some of the steps may be performed simultaneously. The accompanying method claims present elements of the various steps in an exemplary order, and are not intended to be limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented.

The previous description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein but are to be accorded the maximum scope consistent with the language claims, and reference to a singular element in the claims is "one and only one" unless specifically stated otherwise. It is not intended to mean, but rather to mean "one or more". All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various aspects that are known to those of ordinary skill in the art or that will be described later throughout are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be included by the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is expressly recited in the claims. If no element of the claim is expressly referred to using the phrase "means for" or, in the case of a method claim, the element is not referred to using the phrase "step to do", then no claim element is to be found in 35 USC§112. The provisions of, will not be interpreted under the sixth paragraph.

Claims (62)

A battery for powering a communication device,
A battery housing dimensioned to be inserted into a battery compartment of the communication device;
Electrical contacts disposed in the battery housing;
A battery cell in the battery housing, coupled to the electrical contacts and configured to supply power to the communication device via at least two the electrical contacts;
One or more contaminant sensors positioned within the battery housing and configured to measure external contaminate conditions of the communication device and generate corresponding measurements; And
An interface configured to interface the one or more contaminant sensors with a processing system in the communication device, the interface comprising communicating measurements from the one or more contaminant sensors to the processing system;
Battery for communication device. The method of claim 1,
The one or more contaminant sensors are from a group consisting of chemical sensors, biological sensors and radiation sensors,
Battery for communication device. The method of claim 1,
If the battery housing is located within the battery compartment, the interface is via the at least one electrical contact of the electrical contacts and the corresponding at least one electrical contact in the battery compartment of the processing system of the communication device. Configured to communicate with
Battery for communication device. The method of claim 1,
The interface includes a wireless transceiver configured to communicate with the processing system within the communication device via a wireless link;
Battery for communication device. The method of claim 1,
The interface is configured to receive a sensor signal from the one or more contaminant sensors, process the received sensor signal into sensor data representing the measurements, and transmit the sensor data to the processing system in the communication device. Including,
Battery for communication device. 6. The method of claim 5,
Further comprising a memory in the battery housing,
The sensor interface is configured to store the sensor data in the memory and to transmit the sensor data from the memory to the processing system in the communication device,
Battery for communication device. 6. The method of claim 5,
At least one of the contaminant sensors is configured to be selectively activated by the interface, the sensor interface receiving instructions from the processing system within the communication device, and activated based on the received instructions and activated by the at least one Configured to take a sensor reading from a contaminant sensor,
Battery for communication device. 8. The method of claim 7,
The instructions include a time interval between sensor readings,
Battery for communication device. The method of claim 1,
The battery housing allows air-borne substances outside the battery to enter the battery housing and interact with the one or more contaminant sensors when the battery is located within the battery compartment. One or more openings configured to
Battery for communication device. The method of claim 9,
Further comprising an air pump in the battery housing configured to pump air outside the battery through the one or more openings into the battery housing.
Battery for communication device. A method for measuring external contaminant conditions of a communication device and delivering power to the communication device, the method comprising:
Providing power to the communication device from a battery cell of a battery inserted into the battery compartment of the communication device;
Measuring the contaminant condition external to the communication device using one or more contaminant sensors in the battery and generating a corresponding measurement; And
Communicating the measurement from the battery to a processing system in the communication device,
Method for measuring external contaminant conditions in communication devices. 12. The method of claim 11,
The one or more contaminant sensors are from a group consisting of chemical sensors, biological sensors and radiation sensors,
Method for measuring external contaminant conditions in communication devices. 12. The method of claim 11,
Communicating the measurement comprises communicating a measurement from the battery to the processing system within the communication device using one or more contacts disposed on a housing of the battery.
Method for measuring external contaminant conditions in communication devices. 12. The method of claim 11,
Communicating the measurement comprises communicating the measurement from the battery to the processing system within the communication device via a wireless link between the battery and the communication device;
Method for measuring external contaminant conditions in communication devices. 12. The method of claim 11,
Communicating the measurement from the battery to the processing system in the communication device,
Receiving a measurement signal from at least one of the sensors,
Processing the measurement signal into sensor data representing the measurement, and
Transmitting the sensor data from the battery to the processing system in the communication device,
Method for measuring external contaminant conditions in communication devices. 16. The method of claim 15,
Storing the sensor data in a memory in the battery;
Communicating the measurement further comprises transmitting the sensor data from the memory in the battery to the processing system in the communication device.
Method for measuring external contaminant conditions in communication devices. 16. The method of claim 15,
Receiving at the battery instructions from the processing system within the communication device,
Measuring the external condition of the communication device using at least one of the contaminant sensors is based on the received instructions;
Method for measuring external contaminant conditions in communication devices. 18. The method of claim 17,
The instructions include a time interval between sensor readings,
Method for measuring external contaminant conditions in communication devices. 12. The method of claim 11,
Pumping air outside the battery into the battery housing;
Measuring external contaminant conditions of the communication device includes measuring at least one contaminant sensor condition of air pumped into the battery housing.
Method for measuring external conditions of a communication device. An apparatus for providing power to a communication device and for measuring external contaminant conditions of the communication device,
The apparatus has a housing configured to fit within a battery compartment of the communication device, the apparatus within the housing,
Means for providing power to the communication device;
Means for measuring an external contaminant condition of the communication device and generating a corresponding measurement; And
Means for interfacing the measurement to a processing system in the communication device, the interfacing comprising sending a signal indicative of the measurement to the processing system;
Apparatus for measuring external conditions of a communication device. The method of claim 20,
The means for measuring is configured to measure contaminates from the group consisting of chemical, biological material and radiation,
Apparatus for measuring external conditions of a communication device. The method of claim 20,
The means for interfacing the measurement is configured to communicate the measurement to the processing system within the communication device using one or more contacts on an inner surface of the battery compartment.
Apparatus for measuring external conditions of a communication device. The method of claim 20,
Means for interfacing the measurement is configured to communicate the measurement to the processing system within the communication device via a wireless link;
Apparatus for measuring external conditions of a communication device. The method of claim 20,
Means for interfacing the measurement,
Receive a measurement signal from the one or more contaminant sensors;
Processing the measurement signal into sensor data indicative of the measurement; And
And transmit the sensor data to the processing system in the communication device,
Apparatus for measuring external conditions of a communication device. The method of claim 20,
Means for interfacing the measurement,
Store the sensor data, recover the stored sensor data, and transmit the recovered sensor data to the processing system of the communication device,
Apparatus for measuring external conditions of a communication device. The method of claim 20,
The means for measuring is configured to be selectively activated, and wherein the means for interfacing is configured to receive instructions from the processing system within the communication device, and activated based on the received instructions and external conditions of the communication device. Configured to take a measurement from means for measuring
Apparatus for measuring external conditions of a communication device. 27. The method of claim 26,
The instructions include a time interval between sensor readings,
Apparatus for measuring external conditions of a communication device. The method of claim 20,
Means for pumping outside air of the device into the housing,
Apparatus for measuring external conditions of a communication device. A battery powered communication device,
A communication device housing comprising a battery compartment dimensioned to receive a battery therein and configured to receive power from the battery for powering the battery powered communication device;
A processing system in the communication device housing; And
An interface configured to interface the processing system with one or more contaminant sensors in the battery, wherein configuring the interface receives measurement signals from one or more contaminant sensors of the battery and generates measurement data based on the measured signals. To configure to generate, and
The processing system processes the measurement data corresponding to the measurement signals from at least one of the one or more contaminant sensors in the battery to determine if the contaminant is external to the communication device, and as a result the contaminant is Configured to generate a determination of whether the communication device is external to the communication device,
Battery powered communication device. 30. The method of claim 29,
The contaminant is selected from the group consisting of chemical, biological and radiation
Battery powered communication device. 30. The method of claim 29,
The interface includes one or more contacts in the battery compartment, wherein the one or more contacts are electrically connected to the processing system and, when the battery is disposed within the battery compartment, a corresponding one disposed on the battery. Align with one or more contacts,
Battery powered communication device. 30. The method of claim 29,
The interface comprises a wireless transceiver configured to receive the measurement signals from the battery via a wireless link;
Battery powered communication device. 30. The method of claim 29,
The processing system is configured to send an instruction to take a sensor reading from the one or more contaminant sensors in the battery to a sensor interface in the battery,
Battery powered communication device. 34. The method of claim 33,
The command includes an identifier for identifying a particular one of the one or more contaminant sensors,
Battery powered communication device. 30. The method of claim 29,
The processing system is configured to send a report to the network reporting the detection of the contaminant if the processing system determines that the contaminant is present based on sensor data.
Battery powered communication device. A method for detecting contaminants in a battery powered communication device, the method comprising:
Receiving power for the communication device from a battery;
Receiving data from one or more contaminant sensors in the battery; And
Processing the received data to determine if the contaminant is external to the communication device,
Contaminant Detection Method. 37. The method of claim 36,
The contaminant is from a group consisting of chemical, biological and radiation
Contaminant Detection Method. 37. The method of claim 36,
Receiving the data comprises receiving the data from the battery contacting one or more electrical contacts on the battery using one or more contacts disposed within the battery compartment of the communication device;
Contaminant Detection Method. 37. The method of claim 36,
Receiving the data comprises receiving the data over a wireless link between the communication device and the battery;
Contaminant Detection Method. 37. The method of claim 36,
Sending a command to a sensor interface in the battery to take a sensor reading from at least one contaminant sensor in the battery;
Contaminant Detection Method. 41. The method of claim 40,
The instructions include an identifier for identifying a particular one of the at least one contaminant sensors,
Contaminant Detection Method. 37. The method of claim 36,
If processing of the received data determines that the contaminant is external to the communication device, sending a report to the network that reports detection of the contaminant;
Contaminant Detection Method. An apparatus for detecting contaminants in a battery powered communication device, the apparatus comprising:
Means for receiving power for the communication device from a battery;
Means for receiving data from one or more contaminant sensors in the battery; And
Means for processing the received data to determine if the contaminant is external to the communication device,
Pollutant Detection Device. 44. The method of claim 43,
The contaminant is from a group consisting of chemical, biological and radiation
Pollutant Detection Device. 44. The method of claim 43,
Means for receiving the data is configured to receive the data using one or more contacts disposed within a battery compartment of the communication device,
Pollutant Detection Device. 44. The method of claim 43,
Means for receiving the data is configured to receive the data via a wireless link between the communication device and the battery,
Pollutant Detection Device. 44. The method of claim 43,
The means for processing is configured to send a command to take a sensor reading from at least one contaminant sensors in the battery to a sensor interface in the battery,
Pollutant Detection Device. 49. The method of claim 47,
The instructions include an identifier for identifying a particular one of the at least one contaminant sensors,
Pollutant Detection Device. 44. The method of claim 43,
Means for sending a report to the network reporting the detection of the contaminant if the means for processing the received data determines that the contaminant is external to the communication device.
Pollutant Detection Device. The method of claim 1,
The interface includes a machine-readable medium, the interface being further configured to detect when the communication device is powered down and to respond in response to a low power mode, wherein the low power mode is a wake-up interval. According to the periodic wake-up, and at each wake-up,
Taking sensor readings from at least one of the contaminant sensors, to obtain sensor data,
Determine a time associated with taking the sensor reading,
Based on the determined time, apply a time stamp corresponding to the sensor data,
Storing at least a portion of the sensor data and the corresponding time stamp on the machine-readable medium,
Battery for communication device. 51. The method of claim 50,
The interface transmits an acknowledgment request message to the processing system of the communication device and powers down the communication device based on whether the interface receives the acknowledgment message in response to the acknowledgment request message. further configured to detect whether the
Battery for communication device. 51. The method of claim 50,
The interface is further configured to detect whether the communication device is in a power down state by receiving a power down message from the processing system of the communication device,
Battery for communication device. 51. The method of claim 50,
The interface detects that the communication device is in a powered up state while in the low power mode and, in response, retrieves the sensor data and corresponding time stamps from the machine readable medium of the communication device. Further configured to transmit to the processing system,
Battery for communication device. The method of claim 1,
The battery housing is further configured to have a surface that covers the depression of the communication device to form part of the device housing of the communication device when the battery housing is inserted into the battery compartment,
Battery for communication device. 55. The method of claim 54,
The battery housing is further configured to have holes extending through the surface, wherein the holes are configured to form holes penetrating a portion of the device housing when the battery housing is inserted into the battery compartment. ,
Battery for communication device. 12. The method of claim 11,
Detecting in the battery when the communication device is powered down and, in response, taking a sensor reading from at least one of the contaminant sensors in accordance with a low power mode, wherein the low power mode At a given interval, performing a low power sensor reading, wherein performing the low power sensor reading comprises:
Taking sensor readings from at least one of the contaminant sensors to obtain sensor data,
Determining a time associated with taking the sensor reading,
Based on the determined time, applying a corresponding time stamp to the sensor data, and
Storing at least a portion of the sensor data and the corresponding time stamp on a machine-readable medium of the battery,
Method for measuring external contaminant conditions in communication devices. 57. The method of claim 56,
Sending a response request message from the battery to a processing system of the communication device; And
Detecting whether the communication device is in a power down state based on whether the battery receives a response confirmation request in response to the response confirmation request message;
Method for measuring external contaminant conditions in communication devices. 57. The method of claim 56,
In the battery, detecting whether the communication device is in a power down state comprises receiving a power down message from the processing system of the communication device;
Method for measuring external contaminant conditions in communication devices. 57. The method of claim 56,
While in the low power mode, detecting that the communication device is in a powered state; And
In response, further comprising transmitting the sensor data and corresponding time stamps from the machine-readable medium to a processing system of the communication device,
Method for measuring external contaminant conditions in communication devices. 12. The method of claim 11,
Replacing the one or more contaminant sensors with at least one new contaminant sensor, wherein the replacing comprises:
Removing the battery from the battery compartment;
Inserting a new battery into the battery compartment, the new battery having a new battery housing and within the housing having a new battery cell and the at least one new contaminant sensor;
Supplying power to the communication device from a new battery cell of the new battery of the battery compartment of the communication device;
Measuring external contaminant conditions of the communication device using the at least one new contaminant sensor of the new battery housing, and generating another corresponding measurement; And
Communicating the other measurement from the new battery to the processing system of the communication device,
Method for measuring external contaminant conditions in communication devices. 12. The method of claim 11,
Changing the mode of the communication device to a mode without contaminant sensors, wherein changing to a mode without contaminant sensors,
Removing the battery from the battery compartment;
Inserting a new battery into the battery compartment, the new battery having no contaminant sensors; And
Supplying power to the communication device from a new battery in the battery compartment of the communication device
/ RTI >
Method for measuring external contaminant conditions in communication devices. A computer readable medium storing instructions for causing a computer to process information to detect contaminants in a communication device powered by a battery, the computer readable medium causing the computer to:
Receive data from one or more contaminant sensors of the battery; And
Further stores instructions to process the received data to determine whether the contaminant is present external to the communication device,
The contaminant is from the group consisting of chemical, biological material and radiation,
Computer readable medium.

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